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THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON April 7, 2018 @ 6:57 amAvalanche Advisory published on April 6, 2018 @ 6:57 am

Issued by
Jeff Thompson - Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center

Selkirks/Cabinets

bottom line

A strong weather system is currently moving through northern Idaho. Today, expect to see strong winds, snow and freezing temperatures. Yesterday's rain/snow mix saturated the top 6-8'' of the snowpack and made it avalanche prone. Temperatures overnight were cold enough to lock it back up though. I'd expect to see a firm refrozen surface today with places of wind deposited snow on top. I wouldn't expect to see any natural activity today but human triggeredavalanches are possible.

Selkirks/Cabinets

A strong weather system is currently moving through northern Idaho. Today, expect to see strong winds, snow and freezing temperatures. Yesterday's rain/snow mix saturated the top 6-8'' of the snowpack and made it avalanche prone. Temperatures overnight were cold enough to lock it back up though. I'd expect to see a firm refrozen surface today with places of wind deposited snow on top. I wouldn't expect to see any natural activity today but human triggeredavalanches are possible.

Looking at temperatures this morning, I think the greatest chance of triggering a slide would be on isolated terrain features near/below treeline, where temperatures stayed a little warmer. It looks like any terrain above 4500' got cold last night. I don't see it being a wet slide issue until it warms up again. Above treeline you want to be aware of newly wind deposited snow. Winds changed last night from SW to N so pockets of wind slab could be any aspect. Hollow sounding or squeaky snow could be a sign that your on a wind slab.

Avalanche Problem 2: Deep Slab

Type
?

Aspect/Elevation
?

Likelihood
?

Certain

Very Likely

Likely

Possible

Unlikely

Size
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Historic

Very Large

Large

Small

You're heard us talking about it all season and we're not going to stop now! Yesterdays rain/snow mix put another heavy load on the snowpack which increases avalanche danger. The snowpack doesn't like a lot of weight added in short amount of time. The avalanche danger associated with deep slab instability will decrease as the snowpack gets used to the newly added weight. With that said, all of this snow has to head to the rivers some how! So...besides a new load on the snowpack, warm temperatures are the other red light when it comes to deep slab avalanche indicators. The further we push winter into spring, the more dramatic it will be when we do have a significant warm spell.

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS

Weather observations from the Region

0600 temperature:

28 deg. F.

Max. temperature in the last 24 hours:

38 deg. F.

Average wind direction during the last 24 hours:

SW

Average wind speed during the last 24 hours:

10-15 mph

Maximum wind gust in the last 24 hours:

39 mph

New snowfall in the last 24 hours:

6 inches

Total snow depth:

146 inches

Two-Day Mountain Weather Forecast Produced in partnership with the Spokane NWS

For 2000 ft. to 4000 ft.

Friday

Friday Night

Saturday

Weather:

Rain/snow

Chance of rain

Rain

Temperatures:

43 deg. F.

35 deg. F.

46 deg. F.

Wind Direction:

NE

E

SW

Wind Speed:

7-14

6-10

12-17

Expected snowfall:

>.5'' in.

0 in.

0 in.

For 4000 ft. to 6000 ft.

Friday

Friday Night

Saturday

Weather:

Snow showers

Chance of snow

Rain/snow

Temperatures:

33 deg. F.

32 deg. F.

38 deg. F.

Wind Direction:

NE

NE

NE

Wind Speed:

14-24

9-15

18-24 G33

Expected snowfall:

1-2 in.

0-1 in.

1-3 in.

Disclaimer

Avalanche conditions change for better or worse continually. Backcountry travelers should be prepared to assess current conditions for themselves, plan their routes of travel accordingly, and never travel alone. Backcountry travelers can reduce their exposure to avalanche hazards by utilizing timbered trails and ridge routes and by avoiding open and exposed terrain with slope angles of 30 degrees or more. Backcountry travelers should carry the necessary avalanche rescue equipment such as a shovel, avalanche probe or probe ski poles, a rescue beacon and a well-equipped first aid kit. For a recorded version of the Avalanche Advisory call (208)765-7323.

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This website is owned and maintained by the Friends of the Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center. Some of the content is updated by the USDA avalanche forecasters including the forecasts and some observational data. The USDA is not responsible for any advertising, fund-raising events/information, or sponsorship information, or other content not related to the forecasts and the data pertaining to the forecasts.